Nuisance Properties Impede Neighborhood Progress

They’re in most neighborhoods – problem properties owned by careless, oftentimes out-of-town owners that drag down property values and discourage investment. Many are vacant and unkept. But occupied buildings can have just as negative of an impact. 51 E. Mohawk Street in the burgeoning Ellicott Street corridor is one such property.

The four-story building at the corner of Ellicott and E. Mohawk is a 36-unit rooming house. Others who are less politically correct call it a rat-infested flophouse full of drug addicts and dealers, registered sex criminals, and drunks. On the ground floor it has a dive bar that opens at 7 am and a nail salon. It is the scourge of the neighborhood that is seeing an increased amount of investment and is along Ellicott Street, a critical north-south connector between downtown and the Medical Campus.

The building is owned by Orlin Enterprises Inc. with a Hamburg mailing address. It’s assessed at a paltry $135,000. Considering its run down condition, it may be over-assessed.

Alarmingly, the owners are seeking to expand their low-end empire by purchasing an adjacent building at 47 E. Mohawk, the location of the now closed Mohawk Place. The buzz on the street is the building could accommodate another 25 shabby boarding rooms. A bad situation could get a whole lot worse.

New development along Ellicott Street is on the upswing. Pioneers along the corridor include Rocco Termini and his Ellicott Lofts, Ellicott Commons and IS Lofts projects and Roger Trettel’s Buehl Block and adjoining properties. Later projects include the Historic Warehouse Lofts, Hotel Lafayette, Electric Tower, Genesee Gateway, and most recently Tappo restaurant. More is planned. Uniland Development is converting 505 Ellicott into office space and Big Ditch Brewing Company is taking space Iskalo Development’s 337 Ellicott Street. While many millions have been spent on rehabbing buildings and bringing new positive life to this corridor, the Orlin Enterprises flophouse has done nothing but continue to drag down the neighborhood.

So what to do? Neighboring property owners are seeking City help. They want to make sure the corner building is up to code. They want the owners to screen tenants and be a good neighbor. They certainly do not want the problems to double with a newly-licensed rooming house. And if the current owners do not want to invest in the property, to sell it to someone who will.

The issue isn’t gentrification, it’s a matter of an owner maintaining and managing a property in a manner that doesn’t negatively impact downtown employees, residents, visitors and businesses, and contradict the positive momentum that has been created.

I thought no new rooming houses were allowed in the city? I know from experience that a poorly managed rooming house can quickly bring down an entire neighborhood, especially one with so many rooms/tenants. You really need 24/7 mgmt and a thorough screening process which is typically not the case. As a landlord myself, I’d rather rent out two high quality apartments to decent tenants than deal with 30-50 potentially criminal and derelict tenants. I don’t know why anyone would want that headache but I suppose that’s because they just collect rent from whatever government entity subsidizes the rent and do nothing to maintain or manage their property.

walters14150

brownteeth we need more landlords like you in buffalo.

jvgriffis

brownteeth Got a plan for the poor folks who need rooming houses?

brownteeth

jvgriffis brownteeth Maybe start by not housing 50 in one building, that has to be a mgmt nightmare. Also enforcing rules of how they operate and act accordingly when there are violations? This isn’t the same as poor folks in need of housing. Many are criminals and/or drug addicts lumped together which exponentially makes the problem worse. In my hood on Whitney Pl we have many apartment buildings with section 8 folks and have had little to no trouble with them, they’re nice respectful people.

The problem is the rooming houses with only a half dozen or less folks that have been proven to be the issue. I can’t imagine 50 plus rooms being manageable even if only half of them are trouble makers. Funny thing no one complained when Hotel Lafeyette was redone subsequently kicking out their residents? Why is this different?

David Steele

I would suggest that it is more accurately ” Problem Owners” rather than “Problem Properties”

bufforward

Captain Picard
Relevant?

walters14150

Speaking of this wonderful area of Ellicott street(in which I live) what’s going on with the buildings on oak and Genesee? One would think with all of the development/ building in the area that the buildings would be gobbled up, but nothing seams to happen with them? Talk about a boarding house, I think that there is on right on Oak and Genesee and I always see the worst of the worst people coming in out of there and hanging outside there, all hours of the day(by the worst people I mean the people so messed up on drugs they cant tell you the time of day, the people that scream at them selves while walking down the street, the extreme pan handlers, the ones the follow you to your car and are relentless.). Maybe that’s why these building have not been bought yet? maybe that’s why the Corner of the Genesee Gateway Complex has never had a tenant? Why would the city even allow boarding houses, and homeless shelters in the middle of the city where our prime real estate should be. They need to go!! There is plenty of room in the east side for them… no offence.

Buffalowegian

How is this article NOT gentrification? Just because the author says its not?
Webster definition- the process of renewal and rebuilding accompanying
the influx of middle-class or affluent people into deteriorating areas
that often displaces poorer residents

brownteeth

Buffalowegian Even if it is, how is promoting or allowing the opposite better? I get that forcing existing residents out may be considered the negative effect of gentrification for their sake, but why should we let them expand an environment that further deteriorates the quality of life for the majority of the neighborhood?

solonggone

brownteeth Buffalowegian
I could be wrong but I don’t think you can just remove these folks. I always thought there were laws to prevent that.
That’s not to say I am against it. Hell, I would be all for it. I would take it a step further and do it at seveal sites. The logic you’re using could be applied to Marine Drive. Right?
Why not move those folks into the core of the city and then allow a developer to build an amazing waterfront village connecting to CanalSide?
What about the housing projects?

pskeptic

solonggone brownteeth Buffalowegian Why can’t Marine Drive residents be a part of that amazing waterfront village?
Do you actually KNOW any of those people that live in the Marine Dr high-rises? Do you actually go near them? I do. I work across the street from there.
I’m not really seeing a problem with incorporating them into the amazing Waterfront village, instead of removing them like a disease.

lafayette1985

I had wondered about the crowd outside that bar always, so this explains it. I defnitely don’t want that property owner expanding and adding more rooming house rooms but at the same time its not necessarily being fair to want to kick them out. People need a place to live. Just saying stick them in the east side isn’t really a good idea. Two things, why should the east side have to be a dumping ground for people that we don’t want in our core areas and you are just going to hurt the chances of these people to turn their lives around. I would like to assume that these tenants are attempting to better themselves, or at the very least are trying to be in a stable living position. If you put them in a dangerous neighborhood on the east side, you are just furthering the deteriotion of the east side as well as just hurting their chances. I think that a nice remedy would be to deny them the ability to open another rooming house and by increasing foot patrol of police officers around that area. I know that Buffalo police have a lot on their plate already but an increased presence downtown would help alleviate the issues of pan handlers and just make people feel safer.

jvgriffis

lafayette1985 Right on.
Get ’em away from the medical corridor because they’re dirty and lazy. Off to the East Side with them!

walters14150

jvgriffis lafayette1985 I think moving them to a dangerous neighborhood would help them clean up faster, I have lived down town 3 years and can honestly say its been the same people going to these places. Inconveniencing these people is good! it will help them get back on track, giving them hand outs? why would they change?

jvgriffis

walters14150 jvgriffis lafayette1985 I work down here. I avoid scary people.
But really… you solution (?) is to make their lives worse so they’ll want to make them better? You think living in a rat-infested crap hole makes them want to stay there for the “hand outs”?

The land alone has to be worth more than 135k. The landlord is getting a free ride flying under the radar. Assess the property at its true value and hit hamburg man in the pocketbook.

saltecks

Captain Picard No one talking about raising taxes. Tax this property at its fair market value under the current tax rate. There are probably plenty of single family home owners in Buffalo who would love to have their homes appraised at only 135k, let alone multi-family dwellings,.

pskeptic

saltecks Captain Picard Median assessment in Buffalo is in the neighborhood of 65K… I doubt many homeowners in Buffalo would appreciate a 135K assessment…

Black Rock Lifer

It only takes one problem property on the block to greatly impact the quality of life for all the other residents. We have a property here on Amherst St. that has a long history of absentee ownership and troublesome tenants. The previous owner resided in Brazil, the new owner is hiding behind a LLC and has hired a “property management company” as is typical of most slumlords. I have seen this act before, buy cheap, make no improvements, rent until the property is worthless, walk away, let the city pay to demolish. It is just too easy to exploit property and in turn ruin neighborhoods here in Buffalo.

MCW302

Hiding behind an LLC? If you owned an apartment building, you’d likely want it in an LLC (or a corporation), too.

Black Rock Lifer

I did own rental property for many years but I was a responsible landlord and took care of my properties and held my tenants accountable as well. This is not the case with many landlords and LLC’s today.

Black Rock Lifer most ridiculous statement ever! An LLC allows you to be protected if an insurance company sues you when a passerby slips and falls at your property at 3 a.m. in the morning before you’ve had a chance to shovel or salt. Just because someone is incorporated doesn’t mean they’re not accountable…

Black Rock Lifer

Only ridiculous if you are uninformed, I had a comprehensive insurance policy with umbrella coverageof my properties, didn’t need to form an LLC to protect myself. As for being accountable, some LLC’s are but many are not and have done great damage to my neighborhood and city.

NorthBuf

I’m totally for gentrification and it looks like you are too, it does wonders for my property values and state of mind. Lets stop pussyfooting around and admit you’re pro-gentification and that, in the end, we want to push the dirty poor people out so the neighborhood can become nicer. There’s probably some weekly’s out on NFB or Sheridan we can move them too. Then they are completely out of the city.

i’ve always thought that getting rid of single-room-occupancies (boarding houses, if you prefer) greatly increased the numbers of homeless. just as tearing down crack houses does not cure addiction, banning boarding houses does not cure poverty.

the key is for buffalo to find successful sro buildings (they do not automatically have to be a problem) elsewhere and write the regs to replicate them here. this could be a great project for the ub school of social work.

buffalofalling

1. It is gentrification when the argument is to increased the investment in a building beyond what the market is willing to pay in order to drive out current tenants in favor of an implied higher social and economic class.
2. As was troublesome in prior threads with regard to Marine Drive, it’s pretty scary that some propose moving people to declining neighborhoods. I find it disgusting that some think that they have the right to socially engineer urban space to meet their own agendas and don’t care one bit about those that are displaced so long as the gentry determines the use and who lives there. Pushing the marginalized into more marginalized neighborhoods is a pathetic, ignorant idea driven by a complete lack of any solution to the problem. Marine Drive was a dumpy area when it was constructed and now that the state has funnel hundreds of millions into a 3-month destination silver bullet project, a place no one cared about before suddenly is a target for more economic development driven gentrification.
3. The buildings are the problem caused by a failed market. Your other option is the owner walks away, leaving a building to fall victim to the elements… which this board doesn’t like either. Until you solve the economic and housing market problem of continued growth on the fringe in the absence of population growth, many, many areas will see decline resulting in owners, smartly, unwilling to throw money into buildings where the return isn’t there.
4. No one hides behind an LLC, some simple knowledge will help you find the person in minutes. But that would require some work, rather than a simple opinion.

Black Rock Lifer

On #4, owners do indeed hide behind LLC’s, finding the persons name is not the same as making personal contact with them to address issues at their properties. As for work, I have over 35 years of neighborhood activism behind my opinions.

Dashwood1

buffalofalling 4. Hiding behind an LLC is a skill that many Buffalo slumlords have turned into almost an art form. The key is to make a separate LLC for every property with slightly different names. This makes it difficult for Housing Court, the city and anyone who is interested to even find out how many properties are owned by a particular person or entity. When 1 person controls 20 LLCs that each have problem properties, the city and Courts have traditionally had to treat that as 20 different issues as opposed to the 1 very large problem that it actually is. A relatively small percentage of property owners costs the taxpayers a disproportionate amount of money that goes towards city inspectors, housing court, police and all the other agencies that are involved.
Some of this is changing as communication and record keeping is improving and modernizing between the different agencies, but it is still a great problem. So, I have no problem with creating an LLC and would probably use one myself, but they are often used in ways that aren’t intended. Also, I have no knowledge that the building in this article has any code violations or has ever been to housing court etc.

warehousedweller

WHY IS EVERYBODY WORRIED ABOUT A BUILDING THAT TEY DONT OWN ? THE PERSON WHO OWNS IT IS MAKING A KILLING . GETTING DIRECT PMNTS. FROM THE GOV. HOW CAN ANY OF YOU PEOPLE TELL SOMEONE WHAT TO DO WITH THIER PROPERTY ?WHY DONT ALL YOU PEOPLE POOL YOUR MONEY TOGETHER AND BUY IT ? OH THATS RIGHT , YOUR ALL STILL LIVING IN YOUR PARENTS BASEMENT !

SouthtownSimpleton

warehousedweller Haven’t you been going on about moving out of Buffalo for over a year now? Leave, already.

warehousedweller

SouthtownSimpleton warehousedweller I DID BUY A PLACE IN THE SO. TIER WERE THE COCKROACHES CANT GET TO. HOWEVER I STILL HAVE MY SOP IN THE GHETTO.

SouthtownSimpleton

warehousedweller SouthtownSimpleton
There are plenty of cockroaches to be found in the Southern-Tier, my friend. Good people are where you find them.

foreverbflo

This is a very serious problem in most communities of the city. There needs to be some kind of task force made up of citizens, businesses, community leaders, city hall, law enforcement, etc…
Some of the properties and businesses are located right next to playgrounds and community centers! These continue to operate under the “law”. They are proven havens for selling drug paraphernalia, swapping food stamps for cash, selling to minors, etc… They do whatever it takes to make a buck. Then, the gangs and “clients:” they sell to use these businsses as all day and all night hangouts intimidating people and making the community look like and seemingly function as “Escape from NY”. !
Perhaps this would become an issue in any Mayoral debates?
I know for a fact that a recent $20,000 playground installed at a community center on Broadway Ave has lost about 90% of the community residents that used it due to the drug and gang activity next door to the playground. The playground, as it is locked during the evening, has become an occasional dumping ground for drugs, weapons and assorted contraband when the gangs are corralled by the police – which is almost nightly.
The store owners know EXACTLY what is going on. They claim it’s a “free country”.
These type of properties, businesses and owners are what brings down a community – or prohibits it from trying to get back on it’s feet and show some progress. One step forward and ten back.

buffaloroamer

I say move them to Richmond, bordering on the Elmwood Village. Lets see what happens then.
In all seriousness people, there is a difference between classes of people that are section 8, needing assistance and those that are derelict and criminally minded. No one would mind sharing a neighborhood with residents of section 8 housing as long as the residents act in a correct manor of citizenship. However, when the section 8 housing is overcrowded as this property is and full of criminal activity, it is a problem and should be addressed. Where should they live….that’s always going to be an issue, but I can tell you that the residents of these units are Problem citizens and they do put an ugly scar on our city…a city trying to climb out of a hole. And yes they can be a detriment to what can be a golden opportunity for us. As for those of you who think they’re fine where they are and their behavior is acceptable; stop selling our city short, we are better than this and need to act as such.

micahh64

buffaloroamer
“I say move them to Richmond, bordering on the Elmwood Village. Lets see what happens then.”
Seriously. Every time the problem of the homeless or low income people is brought up on this forum, the knee-jerk reflex response is always, “send ’em to the East Side” — as though the East Side is nothing more than a repository for people you don’t want to be around . . .
.

walters14150

micahh64 buffaloroamer have you been to the east side lately?

texpat

I am pretty sure he was saying to move them someplace more upscale and watch the response then.

micahh64

“It’s assessed at a paltry $135,000. Considering its run down condition, it may be over-assessed.”
Forgive me as I, like the author, am also currently “exiled” in CA . . . but going by just the pictures, I see a building
– with no external graffiti on the brick or the base

– one that’s fully occupied
– and has two operating businesses in its storefront
How does that constitute “run down”?
.

buffaloroamer

micahh64 It’s what’s on the inside that is the problem. If you don’t walk these streets daily and deal with the urine, pot, alcohol, sleeping individuals and garbage they throw all over the street after picking through the trash cans, then you really can’t join in this conversation or understand those of us that do. And again I’ll reiterate my stand- I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE THAT NEED PUBLIC ASSISTANCE. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH RACE. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ANY INDIVIDUAL THAT IS BREAKING THE LAW AND DESTROYING MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

pskeptic

buffaloroamer micahh64 I walk that area daily. The property owners can’t force people to not piss on the stoops. Alcohol is legal. Pot should be anyways. And, people picking through garbage cans are actually doing a service and removing recyclable items from the garbage stream.
If you have an issue with individuals breaking the law, then your appropriate target is the person breaking the law, not the property owners who are acting in accordance with the law.

micahh64

buffaloroamer
“It’s what’s on the inside that is the problem.”
Well, unless you’re spending time on the inside, how do you know for certain that it is them that’s urinating in the street and tossing garbage?
“If you don’t walk these streets daily . . .then you really can’t join in this conversation or understand those of us that do.”
Um, the author of this article him/herself does not walk these streets daily (unless they’re doing so from California) and yet made a commentary on the building, its occupants, and the neighborhood — why can’t I?
Unless you’re this site’s owner or a moderator, you have no call to be telling me which conversation(s) I can or cannot participate in.
“And again I’ll reiterate my stand- I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE THAT
NEED PUBLIC ASSISTANCE. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH RACE. I HAVE A PROBLEM
WITH ANY INDIVIDUAL THAT IS BREAKING THE LAW AND DESTROYING MY
NEIGHBORHOOD.”
And I’ll reiterate what pskeptic said:
“If you have an issue with individuals breaking the law, then your
appropriate target is the person breaking the law, not the property
owners who are acting in accordance with the law.”
And I’ll include with that any of this building’s occupants who are acting in accordance with the law.
.

Publius V Publicola

Gentrification is a great. It adds value to undervalued neighborhoods. It pushes undesirable elements out of areas with economic potential. It leads to an overall revival of a neighborhood that otherwise would never be considered by the middle-class.
Many neighborhoods of Buffalo are vacant. These vacant neighborhoods would be better served by a concentration of poor people than the emptiness that now defines them. The natural shift of low-income families through gentrification is good for Buffalo.

Spock1

I’m actually in agreement with some of the usual city haters on this topic. I too don’t care for the tone of those calling for the existing residents and businesses for more desirable groups and uses. There’s plenty of room downtown for walks of life, including those who patronize “flophouses” and “dive bars.”

buffaloroamer

Spock1 You are right Mr. Spock, but you must agree living in the area doesn’t give these residents the right to act in an illegal and disgusting manner. Live here in the neighborhood, that’s fine, get public assistance; fine. But use your own toilet, use the trash cans available instead of the ground and don’t ask me for my hard earned money. And last, I choose not to smell your weed when I come home from work- I stopped smoking in High School and choose not to smoke now!!!

pskeptic

buffaloroamer Spock1 The residents doing things illegal isn’t the fault of the property owner, but instead the fault of the individuals breaking the law.
If laws are not being enforced, then the Buffalo police need to actually do their job, and enforce the law.

buffaloroamer

pskeptic buffaloroamer Spock1 I never mentioned the property owner, only the tenants that reside there. Yes, the tenants destroying a neighborhood is not his problem, and yes the police should patrol more often instead of sitting in a vehicle somewhere. I guess my point is that I was raised to throw my trash in a can, pee in a toilet in private and respect my community….I guess it’s too hard to ask the same of others. And to the person who responded that having the garbage picked is good for the environment, because of recyclables- yeah, great when they take what they want and put the rest BACK in the trash can not all over the ground. Last, look at any major successful city and or neighborhood and these properties do not exist. So if you want Buffalo to be a successful city, it should be “filled” with successful people or those that aspire to be as such.

whateverr

buffaloroamer
Except your last point, your complaints look valid although there isn’t much that can practically be done about it.
For police to catch non-toilet use in the act isn’t easy. And even when rarely they do witness it, the time spent arresting for that then taking an accused person to the lockup when there will be very little if any punishment from City Court… probably leads to thinking arrests won’t make much impact. Same for messing up trash.
Asking for money on public sidewalks isn’t illegal when not threatening or harassing.
Even though all of the above can be annoying, not a lot can be done about it. I’m skeptical that people who are willing to do those things for who-knows-what reasons or substances would change their ways based on threats of an occasional night in the Holding Center. Even one night probably happens only very rarely considering it’s often nearly full of people charged with more serious crimes.
Also skeptical about whether your last point is accurate about major cities –
roam>”look at any major successful city and or neighborhood and these properties do not exist.”
Neighborhoods ok, but what are any whole U.S. cities where no property like that exists? Don’t all major U.S. cities have some areas with similar issues & behaviors?

pskeptic

buffaloroamer pskeptic Spock1 I’ll have to re-examine NYC… They seem to be pretty successful as a city, and they most certainly have neighborhoods like that. Alphabet City comes to mind.

MerleGorko

Holy cow, what an arrogant elitist article. where do these people go i the building is taken down or converted into f-ing mixed use lofts??? & this is really the whole problem with this site, elitist with very little emphasis on reality.

solonggone

MerleGorko But the building does not have a parking lot…so THUMBS UP! Fvck Poor people and cars.

brownteeth

MerleGorko I think you may be missing the point of the article, or at least the bigger picture here. The people living here certainly deserve a place to live, however given the nature of their lifestyle and certain afflictions (ex-cons, drug addicts, mental issues, etc) it’s not really prudent to house so many in one building without properly trained management in place that can handle the day to day issues that arise with such residents. It’s really no different than a group home or even child day care setting that has regulations in place (ie, staff to resident ratios), however it’s not treated that way. Often times these rooms are rented out with no discretion to whoever has the paperwork in order to have the rent paid by whatever gov’t agency is paying it.
Frankly it’s not doing anyone justice in these scenarios. The residents who are law abiding and trying to get back on their feet have to deal with the problem residents. The neighborhood suffers because the problem residents have little to no regard for the laws they break and there’s no recourse when they do. The property owner does have a responsibility over the actions of the tenants, just like any land lord. That means if they know their tenants are causing problems for the neighborhood the proper action should be taken. It’s gross negligence on their part to let their tenants wreak havoc on the neighborhood simply to collect a steady rent check. If I knew my tenants were acting this way they’d be kicked out asap. There’s nothing elitist about maintaining a reasonable quality of life for everyone.

warehousedweller

all of you people who are complaining about this building are jealous of the owner ! the owner is making a killing.someone could probably get this place if they offer lets say 3 mil.

I feel it’s shocking that the neighbouring businesses and residences have to actually get moving to inform city councils about buildings like these! Should the councils themselves be regulating and doing checks every once in a while and making sure that infrastructure is up to par? Nobody is going to want to buy a house or rent an apartment in neighbourhoods like this!

Carrotflower

warehousedweller SouthtownSimpleton Must you shout like that?

Carrotflower

walters14150 “maybe that’s why the Corner of the Genesee Gateway Complex has never had a tenant?”
Marco’s Italian Deli opened in that building a few months ago.

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As a way to gather feedback from parents and community members of future students, the school’s founding team will be available to hear from parents on what they feel is important to their students’ education. Information on Buffalo Commons Charter School’s mission, vision, and progress will be available, and attendees will be able to ask questions and provide insights on the proposed school model.

Designed by an experienced and committed team of local educators and leaders, Buffalo Commons Charter School will prepare students to graduate from college and become highly skilled, engaged, and open-minded citizens of our democracy. Buffalo Commons is committed to providing a diverse student body with excellent teachers, a rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum, and meaningful connections to the community. Buffalo Commons offers a class in innovation, design-thinking and collaboration as part of its daily curriculum. Buffalo Commons plans to open its doors in Fall 2018, beginning with a kindergarten and 5th grade.

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Join us for this critically

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Join us for this critically acclaimed original production as the historic and festively decorated Forest Lawn chapel is transformed into a live theater. Our narrator, John Lay – the first person to take up permanent residence in Forest Lawn, in 1850 – will introduce several of the new friends he’s made over the last 165 years at Forest Lawn. Brought to life by some of Western New York’s most accomplished musical theater performers, they will create musical, comical and poignant glimpses of Christmases past, when they enjoyed life on this side of the lawn.

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Ages 6 and older
By Allison Gregory
Adapted from the Junie B. Jones series of books

A mischievous and endearing holiday story based on beloved author Barbara Park’s series.

Junie B. Jones and the rest of the gang in Room One are getting ready for the holidays with crafts, costumes and, of course, singing! But Tattletale May keeps picking on Junie B. and it’s ruining her holiday glee. Things get worse when Junie B. draws May’s name for the Secret Santa gift exchange. Junie B. concocts a plan to give May a lump of coal, while getting an awesome Squeeze-a-Burp for herself. Will Junie B. have a last-minute change of heart and demonstrate her true holiday spirit? This show has lots of laughs, lessons and energy to spare! Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells (PS: so does May!) will put even the worstest kid in the holiday spirit.

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1 Needle Awareness is proud to present its first ever live call-in town hall on drug addiction and opiate abuse. Topics discussed include:

-Your thoughts on legal drug clinics(shooting clinics). Whether they help solve or help create drug problems.

– Kratom and how effective it can be for providing not only withdrawal relief but stress and anxiety relief as well.

-Prenatal drug testing for treatment of children born addicted. Does this save babies or put fear into addicted mothers that their children will be taken if they go to a doctor.

– How the deceptive practices of drug companies and our political system has played an unparalleled role in causing the addiction epidemic.

-Anything else on your minds!

The event will go live on Spreaker Saturday, December 10th at 2 p.m. EST. Don’t be shy! Call in through Skype @ 1 Needle Awareness and join the discussion. Help us spark change. Help us save lives. Whether your an addict who needs help, a recovered addict or someone going through withdrawal lets help each other.

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The Dance Like A Star

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The Dance Like A Star studio will be holding their “Christmas Masquerade Ball”
Student Showcase on Saturday, December 10th at 4.30 p.m. Tickets: $65 for adults, $30 for kids, $100 for the VIP table. There will be a student showcase, dinner, open bar, professional show, line dances and more! Our address is 442 Niagara Falls Blvd. Tonawanda NY 14223

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The Buffalo Choral Arts Society,

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The Buffalo Choral Arts Society, a 110-voice community chorus under the direction of Marcia A. Giambrone; John A. Mitton, accompanist, celebrates this most glorious time of year with its annual Holiday Concert, entitled All on a Starry Night.

“For a great many Western New Yorkers, the Holiday Season doesn’t begin until they’ve heard the Buffalo Choral Arts Society’s Christmas Concert,” said Kevin Phalen, BCAS President. “The trademark of BCAS is its diversity, and nowhere is this more evident than in our annual Holiday program,” he concluded.

This year brings jaunty arrangements of Jingle Bells and Ding, Dong Merrily on High, juxtaposed with the serenity of Carols of the Night, which features a breathtaking arrangement of O Holy Night and Silent Night by composer Craig Courtney. In addition, BCAS will present selections from John Rutter, Handel’s Messiah and much, much more. The Concert will be approximately 80 minutes in length and will be performed without an intermission.

Find out why the Buffalo Choral Arts Society, a proud member of Chorus America, was voted Best Vocal Ensemble in Buffalo in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 by ARTVOICE and its readers!

Tickets to All on a Starry Night are $15 each and are on sale now. Group rates are available. Order by phone at (716) 775-SONG (7664) or online at www.BuffaloChoralArts.org

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A wondrous night of Music and Dancing where friends come together as family.

Electronic Dance Music with the best talent western New York has to offer.

Silent Disco
If you’ve never experienced a Silent Disco before, imagine a for a second if you will, a hundred people wearing glowing over eared headphones all dancing to one of three different rhythms, faces contorting and bodies rhythmically swaying invariably to unique tunes. You’ll try to talk to your friend next to you and all you’ll see is the music displayed upon their face and as you switch to their channel, you simply understand.

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Your favorite band from Maryland,

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Your favorite band from Maryland, PASADENA, is playing the after party for the Arkells show Town Ballroom December 10th from 11 PM to 1 AM!! Come rock out to this awesome band. $5 Cover with your Arkells ticket!

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Ages 6 and older
By Allison Gregory
Adapted from the Junie B. Jones series of books

A mischievous and endearing holiday story based on beloved author Barbara Park’s series.

Junie B. Jones and the rest of the gang in Room One are getting ready for the holidays with crafts, costumes and, of course, singing! But Tattletale May keeps picking on Junie B. and it’s ruining her holiday glee. Things get worse when Junie B. draws May’s name for the Secret Santa gift exchange. Junie B. concocts a plan to give May a lump of coal, while getting an awesome Squeeze-a-Burp for herself. Will Junie B. have a last-minute change of heart and demonstrate her true holiday spirit? This show has lots of laughs, lessons and energy to spare! Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells (PS: so does May!) will put even the worstest kid in the holiday spirit.

Event Details

Join us for this critically

Event Details

Join us for this critically acclaimed original production as the historic and festively decorated Forest Lawn chapel is transformed into a live theater. Our narrator, John Lay – the first person to take up permanent residence in Forest Lawn, in 1850 – will introduce several of the new friends he’s made over the last 165 years at Forest Lawn. Brought to life by some of Western New York’s most accomplished musical theater performers, they will create musical, comical and poignant glimpses of Christmases past, when they enjoyed life on this side of the lawn.

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It's our one year anniversary,

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It’s our one year anniversary, so we’re throwing a party to celebrate that you’re not going to want to miss; with beer specials and giveaways, release of our new Double Stout Grave Concerns, and live music!

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The Rust Belt Comedy Showcase

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The Rust Belt Comedy Showcase with host Brian Netzel is the oldest running comedy room in the heart of Buffalo’s Allentown, the sacred stage at Nietzsche’s has seen legends like Doug Stanhope
Every Tuesday @8pm, 10 comics, 2 hours of comedy all for only $5

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Comedy Open Mic! @ Milkie's

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Comedy Open Mic! @ Milkie’s on Elmwood is right in the heart of Buffalo’s trendy Elmwood Village. Every Wednesday Night you can catch some of Buffalo’s funniest up and coming comedians take the stage at Milkie’s on Elmwood formerly known as the Elmwood Lounge (former home of Buffalo Legend Lance Diamond) and is hosted by the illmatic local comedy veteran Tyrone Maclin

Every Wednesday Night, sign-ups at 7:30, show starts at 8pm
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: http://bit.ly/2f8OYIE

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Alicia Marván - Holiday Pop-up

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Alicia Marván – Holiday Pop-up Show entitled: enWrap
Fashion Show & Reception: December 16, 6-9 pm
Alicia Marván Atelier presents it’s first collection designed specifically for Buffalo, NY. Inspired by both the natural and built environment of the region, the collection reflects the textures, colors and forms of Buffalo’s unique architectural and natural formations. The one of a kind, handmade garments were designed around the concept of enwrapping the human body during the winter months.
Each piece is made up of a single piece of fabric that was draped, cut and folded in diverse ways to create unique designs to flatter a woman’s body.

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Please drop off new or

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Please drop off new or GENTLY used luggage, backpacks, diaper bags, totes, etc., for distribution to children in foster care in WNY. We will also accept monetary donations to purchase luggage for these children.

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Ages 6 and older
By Allison Gregory
Adapted from the Junie B. Jones series of books

A mischievous and endearing holiday story based on beloved author Barbara Park’s series.

Junie B. Jones and the rest of the gang in Room One are getting ready for the holidays with crafts, costumes and, of course, singing! But Tattletale May keeps picking on Junie B. and it’s ruining her holiday glee. Things get worse when Junie B. draws May’s name for the Secret Santa gift exchange. Junie B. concocts a plan to give May a lump of coal, while getting an awesome Squeeze-a-Burp for herself. Will Junie B. have a last-minute change of heart and demonstrate her true holiday spirit? This show has lots of laughs, lessons and energy to spare! Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells (PS: so does May!) will put even the worstest kid in the holiday spirit.

Event Details

Join us for this critically

Event Details

Join us for this critically acclaimed original production as the historic and festively decorated Forest Lawn chapel is transformed into a live theater. Our narrator, John Lay – the first person to take up permanent residence in Forest Lawn, in 1850 – will introduce several of the new friends he’s made over the last 165 years at Forest Lawn. Brought to life by some of Western New York’s most accomplished musical theater performers, they will create musical, comical and poignant glimpses of Christmases past, when they enjoyed life on this side of the lawn.

Time

Location

Event Details

Join us for this critically

Event Details

Join us for this critically acclaimed original production as the historic and festively decorated Forest Lawn chapel is transformed into a live theater. Our narrator, John Lay – the first person to take up permanent residence in Forest Lawn, in 1850 – will introduce several of the new friends he’s made over the last 165 years at Forest Lawn. Brought to life by some of Western New York’s most accomplished musical theater performers, they will create musical, comical and poignant glimpses of Christmases past, when they enjoyed life on this side of the lawn.

Event Details

Event Details

Ages 6 and older
By Allison Gregory
Adapted from the Junie B. Jones series of books

A mischievous and endearing holiday story based on beloved author Barbara Park’s series.

Junie B. Jones and the rest of the gang in Room One are getting ready for the holidays with crafts, costumes and, of course, singing! But Tattletale May keeps picking on Junie B. and it’s ruining her holiday glee. Things get worse when Junie B. draws May’s name for the Secret Santa gift exchange. Junie B. concocts a plan to give May a lump of coal, while getting an awesome Squeeze-a-Burp for herself. Will Junie B. have a last-minute change of heart and demonstrate her true holiday spirit? This show has lots of laughs, lessons and energy to spare! Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells (PS: so does May!) will put even the worstest kid in the holiday spirit.

Event Details

As a way to meet

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Event Details

As a way to meet and gather feedback from the parents and family members of Buffalo’s current and future students, the school’s founding team will be available to hear from parents on what they feel makes a great school. Information on Buffalo Commons Charter School’s mission, programs, and progress will be available, and attendees are encouraged to ask questions and provide insights on the proposed school model Buffalo Commons is building.

Designed by an experienced and committed team of local educators and leaders, Buffalo Commons Charter School will prepare students to graduate from college and become skilled, engaged, and open-minded citizens of our democracy. Buffalo Commons is committed to providing a diverse student body with excellent teachers, a rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum, and meaningful connections to the community. As a part of that rigorous and innovative curriculum, Buffalo Commons will offer a daily “Innovations” class rooted in design-thinking and collaborative problem solving practices. Buffalo Commons plans to open its doors in Fall 2018, beginning with a kindergarten and 5th grade, while growing into a K-8 school by 2022.

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Celebrate Hanukkah Nickel City Jews

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Celebrate Hanukkah Nickel City Jews style at LIFT Nightclub!

This year we will be featuring:

Musicality Central dancers who will be performing and teaching dances
Flash (metallic) Temporoary Tattoos
Latkes and donuts
Artisin Hanukkah Menorahs that will be raffled off to benefit Jewish Family Service Refugee Families

COST: $26 Open Bar Wrist Band (well drinks, drafts and wine) –
CASH ONLY
or Pay Your Own Way

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On December 17, the holiday

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On December 17, the holiday spirit will be in the air with Christmas with The Celtic Tenors. The Celtic Tenors live show is overflowing with vitality and variety from start to finish. The unique voices, appeal and wit of Daryl, James and Matthew, combine in a thoroughly uplifting experience. In Christmas with The Celtic Tenors, their voices and personalities will shine, alongside their undeniable Celtic charm, beautifully weaving the songs of the season throughout a captivating performance! The Celtic Tenors have established themselves as the most successful classical crossover artists ever to emerge from Ireland. In 2000, following an impromptu audition at EMI in London, the Celtic Tenors were signed on the spot to an international record deal, a highly unusual event that was the talk of the music industry.

The Celtic Tenors continue to re-invent the whole tenor idiom by pioneering a new style of cool never before seen on the classical stage and by breaking the traditional stuffy tenor mold.

Event Details

Event Details

Ages 6 and older
By Allison Gregory
Adapted from the Junie B. Jones series of books

A mischievous and endearing holiday story based on beloved author Barbara Park’s series.

Junie B. Jones and the rest of the gang in Room One are getting ready for the holidays with crafts, costumes and, of course, singing! But Tattletale May keeps picking on Junie B. and it’s ruining her holiday glee. Things get worse when Junie B. draws May’s name for the Secret Santa gift exchange. Junie B. concocts a plan to give May a lump of coal, while getting an awesome Squeeze-a-Burp for herself. Will Junie B. have a last-minute change of heart and demonstrate her true holiday spirit? This show has lots of laughs, lessons and energy to spare! Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells (PS: so does May!) will put even the worstest kid in the holiday spirit.

Event Details

Join us for this critically

Event Details

Join us for this critically acclaimed original production as the historic and festively decorated Forest Lawn chapel is transformed into a live theater. Our narrator, John Lay – the first person to take up permanent residence in Forest Lawn, in 1850 – will introduce several of the new friends he’s made over the last 165 years at Forest Lawn. Brought to life by some of Western New York’s most accomplished musical theater performers, they will create musical, comical and poignant glimpses of Christmases past, when they enjoyed life on this side of the lawn.

Location

Event Details

The Rust Belt Comedy Showcase

Event Details

The Rust Belt Comedy Showcase with host Brian Netzel is the oldest running comedy room in the heart of Buffalo’s Allentown, the sacred stage at Nietzsche’s has seen legends like Doug Stanhope
Every Tuesday @8pm, 10 comics, 2 hours of comedy all for only $5

Event Details

Comedy Open Mic! @ Milkie's

Event Details

Comedy Open Mic! @ Milkie’s on Elmwood is right in the heart of Buffalo’s trendy Elmwood Village. Every Wednesday Night you can catch some of Buffalo’s funniest up and coming comedians take the stage at Milkie’s on Elmwood formerly known as the Elmwood Lounge (former home of Buffalo Legend Lance Diamond) and is hosted by the illmatic local comedy veteran Tyrone Maclin

Every Wednesday Night, sign-ups at 7:30, show starts at 8pm
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: http://bit.ly/2f8OYIE

Event Details

The Rust Belt Comedy Showcase

Event Details

The Rust Belt Comedy Showcase with host Brian Netzel is the oldest running comedy room in the heart of Buffalo’s Allentown, the sacred stage at Nietzsche’s has seen legends like Doug Stanhope
Every Tuesday @8pm, 10 comics, 2 hours of comedy all for only $5

Event Details

Comedy Open Mic! @ Milkie's

Event Details

Comedy Open Mic! @ Milkie’s on Elmwood is right in the heart of Buffalo’s trendy Elmwood Village. Every Wednesday Night you can catch some of Buffalo’s funniest up and coming comedians take the stage at Milkie’s on Elmwood formerly known as the Elmwood Lounge (former home of Buffalo Legend Lance Diamond) and is hosted by the illmatic local comedy veteran Tyrone Maclin

Every Wednesday Night, sign-ups at 7:30, show starts at 8pm
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: http://bit.ly/2f8OYIE

Event Details

Join us for this critically

Event Details

Join us for this critically acclaimed original production as the historic and festively decorated Forest Lawn chapel is transformed into a live theater. Our narrator, John Lay – the first person to take up permanent residence in Forest Lawn, in 1850 – will introduce several of the new friends he’s made over the last 165 years at Forest Lawn. Brought to life by some of Western New York’s most accomplished musical theater performers, they will create musical, comical and poignant glimpses of Christmases past, when they enjoyed life on this side of the lawn.

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(Saturday) 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Location

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